The Delicate Beauty

The year Wen Yunshang was selected to enter the palace, foreign cavalry rode straight into the capital of Wu. Seeing the beauty with her cloudlike hair and flowerlike face, her delicate bones and voluptuous figure, the commander of the invading army treated her like a plaything and presented her to Crown Prince Qin, who had led the attack on Wu and was notoriously mercurial. Unexpectedly, Prince Yi not only spared her, but doted on and protected her. She was the only one by his side. Just as Wen Yunshang's heart began to waver, she accidentally overheard the prince's greatest secret. In the next instant, his sword was at her fragile throat without a moment's hesitation. It turned out all his affection had been nothing but a fleeting illusion. Wen Yunshang had no choice but to flee, only to have her wings clipped and be locked in a cage. She thought, Of course. How could Prince Yi care whether a plaything who wasn't even his concubine lived or died? Those lingering, affectionate looks? Risking her life to save him? The love poems she made up on the spot? Faced with the threat of death, Wen Yunshang put on an act and brought every trick in the book to bear, determined to win the heart of this bastard and stay alive. But had she perhaps overdone it a little? Otherwise, when she faked her death and left, why would that proud royal suddenly break down in tears? - Once, Qin Yi had cared only for the realm, and had been decisive and ruthless. But later he held Lady Wen close to his heart, a beautiful woman who was often tearful, gentle, and demure. He thought that time would smooth over all the terrible things he had done. But then, one day, she died saving him. After Qin Yi became king, his harem remained empty. He often remembered the blazing fire in Lady Wen's eyes as she asked him loudly,